Police disciplinary gap exposed in domestic violence report

Police officers found guilty of domestic violence face no clearly defined disciplinary process despite the Fiji Police Force's zero-tolerance policy, according to the Gender Barrier Assessment Project Report.

The report says the force's disciplinary procedures do not specifically address cases of domestic violence.

"FPF discipline procedures do not specifically address cases of domestic violence," the report states.

It adds that the force's misconduct policies contain "no paths of recourse for perpetrators of domestic violence."

The assessment found that while 81 per cent of surveyed personnel knew domestic violence was a conduct violation, only 69 per cent believed it was serious enough to warrant dismissal from the force.

According to the report, the gap leaves "pathways of recourse… unclear for some officers."

Attitudes towards domestic violence also varied depending on the circumstances.

The report found marital rape was the least tolerated form of violence, with 89 per cent of respondents disagreeing that a husband could have sex with his wife without her consent.

However, 19 per cent of respondents did not disagree that a woman should tolerate violence to keep her family together.

The report also cited a 2024 study which found that although 89 per cent of officers were aware of the force's zero-tolerance policy, about 71 per cent admitted they did not apply it when handling domestic violence cases, instead preferring reconciliation.

Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said the findings would help shape reforms within the organisation.

"Are our women getting fair treatment from the leadership of the forces? Is the working environment suitable for our mothers, sisters, daughters who are also our comrades?" he said.

The report recommends wider dissemination of the force's domestic violence policy across all ranks and divisions, and closer alignment between the "No Drop" policy and the police disciplinary framework.